Tourism, Greece-Italy axis by restart: safe holiday objective

Strengthen the Greece-Italy axis, to relaunch tourism potential and investments in the sector, in the post-Covid era, ensuring holidays in total safety for tourists. Positive signals are coming from Greece, where an international mission of Fiavet-Confcommercio took place in recent days, under the aegis of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, with the participation of the prefecture of Thessaly and the municipality of Skiathos. The president of Fiavet, Ivana Jelinic, together with a delegation of tourism agents and the director of Greek tourism in Italy, Kyriaki Boulasidou, flew to Athens and then to Skiathos, to witness the commitment with our country to restart the sector, giving a signal of confidence to the whole sector. (PHOTOGALLERY) “These are the first signs of a sector that is struggling to raise its head after a devastating collapse in terms of turnover and mobility – he explained to Adnkronos Jelinic -. We are coming out of a very deep crisis ”. The number one of Fiavet has no doubts that the summer season will be that of proximity tourism, with Italy that will still be the master. “Greece, like Spain, are among the favorite destinations of the Italians, but also Malta and Croatia, particularly appreciated by the Italian market – highlighted Jelinic -. Some are starting to ask for holidays abroad as well and it is an encouraging situation. “With the vaccination campaign that will be normalized and the green pass, Jelinic hopes,” maybe we will also be able to restart the autumn season “. Greece, where tourism is worth 25% of the national GDP, was among the first countries to reopen its doors to visitors and from 14 May the summer season has finally started again. “Last week we discussed with other European ministers about this desire to restart and finally we are – explained the Italian Minister of Tourism, Massimo Garavaglia, speaking in connection during the Fiavet conference, organized in Skiathos -. Now there will be the green. pass, we would have preferred it had arrived earlier to anticipate the entries and exits from our countries, but we see the glass half full. It took us a couple of months to make it and it is a small miracle, a great step forward. There are still corners to be smooth but with the good will of all we can do it. On our part there is the maximum availability to make everything as simple as possible. I can’t wait to go to Greece for tourism, I hope that many Greeks can come to Italy ” Despite the difficult year, the bet is that even Skiathos, famous for the film ‘Mamma mia’ filmed among its suggestive streets and breathtaking beaches, will return to the competition for tourist destinations. referred to by the Italians in Greece. On the island, 50 km of surface – of which 44 only of coast – the vaccination coverage of the population over 5 years is 95% and seasonal workers have also started vaccinations with Johnson & Johnson. Among the first to have put the spotlight on the island there is also Alitalia, which from August, for the first time, will introduce two connections a week for Skiathos from Rome Fiumicino. A further confirmation that the return to normality is near. “It is a new beginning for two countries, we can welcome our visitors in safety – explained to Adnkronos the mayor of Skiathos, Thodoris Tzoumas, enthusiastic to welcome tourists back to his island after 14 months of pandemic -. The Italian market is very important to us, Greece and Skiathos are safe destinations. I am very optimistic about the flights that will arrive from Rome, they bode well. It is a sign that we are optimistic. Between July and September we expect 60-70 percent more than in 2019 in terms of tourist flows ”. In 2020, Greece lost 80% of its turnover linked to tourism and the refreshments arrived in winter covered up to 50 thousand euros for the structures in the sector. But this year, Dimitri Fragakis, secretary general of the Hellenic Tourism Board is convinced, it will be decisive for the relaunch of the sector, which could double the numbers of 2019. “In 2019 the sector was worth about 4 billion euros – noted Fragakis – and this year we aim to double the numbers “. The goal, he remarked, is to have safe tourism. “This is our commitment in the coming months – assured Fragakis -. Tourists are not just numbers, they are human beings and we want them to feel good in our country. Come to Greece”.